CVE-2019-18808 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2019-18808, a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel up to version 5.3.9, enabling denial of service attacks by causing excessive memory consumption. Find mitigation steps and preventive measures here.
An issue of memory leakage has been discovered in the ccp_run_sha_cmd() function within the drivers/crypto/ccp/ccp-ops.c file of the Linux kernel, up to version 5.3.9. This vulnerability enables attackers to launch a denial of service attack by causing excessive memory consumption. The Common Identifier (CID) reference for this vulnerability is CID-128c66429247.
Understanding CVE-2019-18808
This CVE involves a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel that could lead to a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2019-18808?
CVE-2019-18808 is a memory leak vulnerability found in the ccp_run_sha_cmd() function in the Linux kernel up to version 5.3.9. Attackers can exploit this flaw to trigger a denial of service attack by consuming excessive memory.
The Impact of CVE-2019-18808
This vulnerability could allow malicious actors to exhaust system memory, leading to a denial of service condition. It poses a risk to the availability of affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-18808
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability exists in the ccp_run_sha_cmd() function in the Linux kernel, allowing attackers to cause a denial of service by consuming excessive memory.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Linux kernel versions up to 5.3.9 are affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specific requests to trigger the memory leak, leading to a denial of service condition.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-18808 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers to address this vulnerability.
- Monitor system resources for any signs of abnormal memory consumption.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
- Implement proper access controls and network segmentation to reduce the attack surface.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely patching of the Linux kernel to address CVE-2019-18808 and other potential security risks.